Global Food Insecurity - Rethinking Agricultural and Rural Development Paradigm and Policy

Preface

Acknowledgements

Contents

List of Figures

List of Tables

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

Part I Agriculture and Rural Development at the Heart of Sustainability and Food Security

Chapter 1: A New Conceptual Framework for Assessing Rural Development Performance: Sustainability of Scale, Scope and Integration

1 Introduction

2 A New Conceptual Framework

3 Scale, Scope, Integration: Tripartition of Strategies

3.1 Scale and Scope

3.2 Integration

4 Economy, Ecology, Sociology: Tripartition of Criteria

4.1 Economy

4.2 Ecology

4.3 Sociology

5 How It Works

5.1 Theoretical

5.2 Practical

6 Concluding Remarks

References

Chapter 2: A Knowledge Approach to Sustainable Agriculture

1 Introduction

2 Knowledge Approach

3 Exploratory Study

4 Results

5 Conclusions

References

Chapter 3: Sustainable Agriculture Ensures Sustainable Rural Development: A Reality or a Myth

1 Introduction

2 Overview of Pakistan’s Agricultural Sector

3 Constraints Associated with Pakistan Agriculture

Box 3.1 Constraints and Threats Associated with the Agricultural Sector and Rural Development in Pakistan

3.1 Water Shortage

3.2 Smaller Land Holdings and Neglect of Small Farmers

3.3 Gaps in Productivity

3.4 Women Farmers Working in Agriculture and Their Status

4 Pakistani Rural Development

4.1 Women and Their Role in Rural Development

4.2 Poor Infrastructure and Lower Quality of Social Services

5 Suggested Strategies to Achieve Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development

6 Conclusions and Recommendations

References

Chapter 4: Policies for Sustainable Agricultural Production and Consumption

1 Introduction

2 Resource Use

3 Impacts on the Earth

4 Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGS)

5 Pollution of the Environment

6 Ethics, Religion and Science

7 Animal Welfare

8 Compassion, Health and a Better Environment – a Positive Way Forward for Farming

9 Conclusions

References

Chapter 5: Cultivating Faith: The Relationship Between Islam and Sustainable Agriculture in Rural Communities of American Muslims

References

Chapter 6: Agricultural Development for Food Security and Sustainability in Nigeria

1 The Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector

2 The Nigerian Rural Economy, Poverty and Environmental Degradation

2.1 Food Security

2.2 Technology and Technological Change

2.3 Sustainable Agricultural Development

3 Conclusion

References

Chapter 7: African Agriculture at Crossroads: Balancing the Needs of Increased Productivity and the Challenges of Sustainability. The Case of Fadama Agriculture in Semi-Arid North-Central Nigeria

1 Introduction

2 Typology and Importance of Fadama Areas and Agriculture

2.1 Fadama Agriculture in Karshi and Baddeggi

2.2 Indigenous Resource Management in Fadama Areas of Karshi and Baddeggi

3 Mechanization and Agrochemicals Use in Fadama Areas of Karshi and Baddeggi

3.1 Developing a Conceptual Basis for Agricultural Hybridization

4 Conclusion: Balancing Productivity and Sustainability

References

Part II Governance for Food Security: Key Challenges and Relevant Debates

Chapter 8: Food Crisis Mitigation: The Need for an Enhanced Global Food Governance

1 Introduction

2 Research Background and Scope

3 Factors Behind Food Crisis

3.1 Climate Change: Critical Implications for Food Security

3.2 Energy Shortages and Prices

3.3 Inadequacy of Agricultural and Food Practices and Policies

3.3.1 Global Food and Agriculture System and Food Crisis

3.3.2 Loss of Crop Varieties and Genetic Contamination

3.3.3 Fish Stocks and Marine Biodiversity Decline

3.3.4 Farmer Shortages

3.4 National and International Policies on Trade, Economics and Agriculture

3.5 Food for Aid Programs

3.6 Population Growth and the Shift in Global Food Production and Consumption

4 Global Food Governance Regime: Actors, Powers and Dynamics

4.1 Conflicting Actors and Interests

4.1.1 Role and Power of Powerful States

4.1.2 Role and Powerful Corporate Influence

4.2 Potential of Global Food Regime to Enhance Food Security

5 Concluding Remarks

References

Chapter 9: 18,000 Children Die of Starvation Everyday: Cannot We Save Them?

1 Introduction

2 Methodology

3 Hungry People

4 Why People Are Hungry?

5 Cannot We Save the Hungry People?

6 How Can We Save Them?

6.1 Short-Term Plan

6.2 Long-Term Plan

6.2.1 Increase Agricultural Production

6.2.2 Come Out of Protectionism

6.2.3 Stop Food Wastage

6.2.4 Obesity Control

6.2.5 Food Safety

6.2.6 Well-Planned Market System

6.2.7 No Bio-fuel

6.2.8 Economy Lifestyle

6.2.9 No War

6.2.10 No Ethnic Violence

6.2.11 Population Control/Management

6.2.12 Corruption Control

6.2.13 No Military Administration

6.2.14 Fight Diseases

6.2.15 Proper Education and Training

6.2.16 Right to Migration

6.2.17 Industrialisation and Job Creation

6.2.18 Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

6.2.19 Root Out Terrorism

7 Finance

8 Conclusion

References

Chapter 10: The Self-Reliant Country: Sustainable Agricultural Policy for Australia?

1 Introduction

1.1 Historical Background

2 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production

3 Analysis: Creating Our Future. Agriculture and Food Policy for the Next Generation

3.1 Markets Section

3.2 Natural Resources Section

4 Limitations of the Current Agriculturaland Food Policy Framework

5 Conclusion

References

Chapter 11: LCA Potentials and Limits Within a Sustainable Agri-food Statutory Framework

1 Introduction

2 LCA as a Tool for the Development of a Sustainable Agri-food Statutory Framework

2.1 “Life-Cycle Thinking” Within LCA

2.2 The LCA Methodology

3 LCA Possibilities Leading to the Generation of a More Sustainable Agri-food Statutory Framework

3.1 Current Applications of LCA in Agricultural Production

3.2 Current Applications of LCA in Food Processing

4 Challenges Facing LCA for a More Sustainable Agri-food Statutory Framework

4.1 Challenges Facing the Specific Nature of the Agri-food Sector

4.2 Challenges Facing an Agri-food Statutory Framework

5 Conclusion

References

Chapter 12: Risk Communication at the Hungarian Guar-Gum Scandal

1 Introduction

1.1 What Is Guar Gum?

1.2 The Process of the Contamination

2 Objective

3 Materials and Methods

4 Results and Discussion

5 Conclusion

References

Chapter 13: The Environmental Challenges and Its Security Implications for South Asia

1 Introduction

2 Environment and Security: A Conceptual Understanding

3 Global Warming: A Major Environmental Threat for South Asia

4 Social Effects of Environmental Degradation

4.1 Population Growth

4.2 Agricultural Land and Agricultural Production

4.3 Population Displacement or Migration

4.4 Disrupted Institutions and Social Relations

5 Need for a Regional Approach on Environmental Crisis

5.1 Deep Cuts in Carbon Emissions

5.2 Population Control

5.3 Strengthening Institutions and Legislation

5.4 Accounting and Cooperative Management of Natural Resources

5.5 Training and Orientation Programs in Environmental Management

5.6 Promoting Environmental Awareness

5.7 Promoting Appropriate Environmental Technologies

6 Conclusion

References

Part III Climate Change and Energy as New Major Factors Redefining the World Food Equation

Chapter 14: Climate Change, Seasonality and Hunger: The South Asian Experience

1 Backdrop

2 Seasonality and Hunger

3 The Controlling of Climate in South Asia

4 The Heightened Impacts of Climate Change

5 Climate Proofing the Farmer to Ensure Food Security

6 Summing Up

References

Chapter 15: Effects of Climate Change on Food and Human Security in Nigeria

1 Introduction

2 Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks on Climate Change and Human Security

2.1 What Is Climates and Climate Change?

2.2 Meaning and Dimensions of Food Security

2.3 The Concepts and Meaning of Human Security

2.4 Relationship Between Climate Change, Food Security and Human Security

2.5 Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies Against Climate Change

3 Methodology

3.1 Study Area: Nature of Climate Change in Nigeria

3.2 Types and Methods of Data Collection

4 Results and Discussion of Findings

4.1 Factors Influencing Climate Change in Nigeria

4.2 Effects of Climate Change

4.2.1 Economic Effects of Climate Change

4.2.2 Social Effects of Climate Change

4.2.3 Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture and Food Security

4.2.4 Human Consequences of Climate Change

4.2.5 Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Climate Change Effects in Nigeria

4.3 Government Responses to Climate Change and Constraining Factors

5 Conclusion and Recommendations

References

Chapter 16: Quantitative Assessment of Climate Change by Weather Generation Models and Downscaling GCM Data in Tehran, Iran

1 Introduction

2 Study Area

3 Methodology

3.1 Model Calibration

4 Modeling Results

4.1 Precipitation

4.2 Major and Extreme Rainfall

4.3 Temperature

4.4 Number of Hot and Icy Days

5 Conclusions

References

Chapter 17: The Role of Biofuels in the Sustainability of the Environment

1 Introduction

2 Features of Energy Consumption

3 The Environmental Protection Problem of the Increasing Energy Consumption

4 The International Situation of Utilization of Biofuels

5 Connection Between Food Supply, Biofuel Production and Environmental Protection

6 Doubts of Biofuel Utilization

7 Conclusions

References

Chapter 18: Energy Efficiency, Methane Output, Required Carbon Sequestration Area and Water Productivity in Extensive and Semi-intensive Beef Production in South America – A Comparison of Ecological Currencies

1 Introduction

2 General Approach and Methods

2.1 Energy Efficiency and Methane Emissions

2.2 Shadow Area

2.3 Water Footprint

3 Results and Discussion

3.1 Energetic Efficiency and Methane Production

3.2 Shadow Area

3.3 Water Footprint

4 Conclusions and Implications

References

Chapter 19: Biogas Energy From Agricultural By-Products: Energy Yields and Effects on Organic Farming Systems Compared with Energy Maize Cropping

1 Introduction and Goals

2 Material and Methods

2.1 Field Trial: Setting, Location, Climate

2.2 Digestion

2.3 Crop Rotations

2.3.1 Stockless Organic Farming

2.3.2 Organic Dairy Farming

2.4 Calculation of Attainable Energy Yields

3 Results

3.1 Substrates for Anaerobic Digestion

3.1.1 Stockless Organic Farming

3.1.2 Organic Dairy Farming

3.2 Energy Content of Substrates

3.3 Energy Yield Potential of the Whole Crop Rotations

4 Discussion

4.1 Trial Results of Energy Yields

4.2 Effects of Biogas Digestion on Farming Systems

4.2.1 Recovery of Nitrogen Derived from the Atmosphere by Symbiotic N2 Fixation

4.2.2 Decreasing of Nitrate Leaching Risk

4.2.3 Reduction of Trace Gas Emissions

4.2.4 Diversification of Crop Rotations by Cover Crops

4.2.5 Use of By-Products

4.2.6 Use of Problematic Biomass

4.3 Outlook: Factors Influencing the Future Development

4.3.1 Economic Points of View

4.3.2 Obstacles for Implementation

5 Conclusion

References

Part IV Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Relevant Experiences

Chapter 20: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Crisis in Sub-Sahara Africa

1 Introduction

2 Challenges of Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

3 Trend in Food Consumption in Sub-Sahara Africa

3.1 Climatic Change

3.2 Weather Patterns and Drought Occurrence in Africa

3.3 Government Responses

3.4 Mitigation Potential of the Region

3.5 Sub-Saharan Africa’s Market Share and Potential

3.6 Greenpeace Suggestions on Mitigation

4 Conclusions and Policy Recommendations

References

Chapter 21: Soaring Food Prices and Africa’s Vulnerability and Responses

1 Introduction

2 Trends in Global Food Prices

2.1 Historical Perspective

2.2 Recent Trends in Food Prices

2.3 Drivers of Short-Term Trends

3 Cereal Vulnerability of African Countries

3.1 Africa’s Cereal Situation

3.2 Construction of a Vulnerability Index

3.3 Results of the Vulnerability Assessment

4 Implications of the Food Price Trends

4.1 Social Implications

4.2 Implications for Regional Trade and Foreign Investments

4.3 Implications for Policies

Box 21.1 Malawi’s Approach to Food Shortages

5 The African Development Bank’s Response

5.1 Short-Term Responses

5.2 Medium-to-Long Term Responses

6 Conclusion

Annex A. Food Consumption Shares (% of Total Expenditure)

Annex B. Cereal Balance (Values in Million) (2007/2008)

Annex C. Indicators of Vulnerability and Country Ranking

Annex D. Policy Measures Taken by Governments

References

Chapter 22: Significance of Vegetable Farming as a Strategy to Enhance Household Food Security in Communal Areas of Zimbabwe

1 Introduction

2 Location and Description of Study Area

3 Data Collection and Analysis

4 Results and Discussion

4.1 Motivating Factors

4.2 Farm Size and Location

4.3 Vegetables Grown and Output Levels

4.4 Strategies Used to Enhance Vegetable Productivity

4.5 Contribution of Vegetable Outputs to Dietary Diversity

4.6 Contribution of Vegetable Sales to Household Income

4.7 Use of Income from Vegetables by Households

4.8 Challenges Encountered by Households in Vegetable Farming and Marketing

5 Conclusion

6 Policy Considerations or Recommendations

References

Chapter 23: Changes in Agricultural Landscape: Some Ecological Implications for Sustainable Agriculture in Indian Punjab

1 Introduction

2 Objectives

3 Methodology

4 Results and Discussion

4.1 Trends Towards Specialized Farming

4.2 Indices of Crop Specialization/Diversification

4.3 Manifestation of Several Adverse Effects

4.3.1 Depletion of Ground Water Resources

4.3.2 Deteriorating Soil Fertility

4.3.3 High Use of Insecticides and Pesticides

4.3.4 Poisoning Food Commodities

4.3.5 Environmental Pollution

4.4 Resource Conserving Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture

4.5 Potential and Constraints for Increased Adoption of RCTS

4.6 Policy Options for Rapid Adoption of ResourceConservation Technologies

References

Chapter 24: Emerging Issues for the Formulation of Policy on Agri-Input Delivery System in Nigeria

1 Introduction

2 Primer of Agri-Input Policies

3 Background to Policy Interventions in Agri-Input Market

3.1 Policy Intervention Modes

3.1.1 Seed

3.1.2 Fertilizer

3.1.3 CPP

3.2 Lessons of Implementation Experience

4 Policy Formulation for Agri-Input Delivery

4.1 Process Approach

4.2 Articulation of Policy on Agri-Inputs Delivery

4.3 Formulation of Implementation Strategy for Agri-Inputs Delivery

5 Emerging Policy Issues and Optimal Resolution of Issues

5.1 Political Economy and Governance Issues

5.2 Structural and Systemic Issues

6 Concluding Remarks

References

Postface

Notes on Contributors

Author Index

Subject Index